<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <font class="text"> While the stars seem to be aligned for the Bulls to make a deeper run in the playoffs (perhaps being the next team from the East to get beat up in the NBA Finals), Paxson refuses to assume that will happen just because it seems logical. </font></p> <font class="text"> "Going from where we are to the next level is the most difficult step, and it's not a given that it's going to happen," he says. "I understand that as well as anyone because I saw it up close as a player. When I was playing, Cleveland and New York were two good teams that just couldn't get past us, and they didn't have anything to show from that era. I don't want to look back and have the same said about us." </font></div></p> Sporting News / Larry Lage</p>
